Rise Of The Runelords: A Savage Worlds Adaptation

Hey guys! Ever thought about mixing the epic Rise of the Runelords adventure path with the fast-paced, rules-light system of Savage Worlds? Well, you're in for a treat! This article dives deep into how you can bring these two awesome worlds together, creating a gaming experience that's both thrilling and streamlined. We'll explore the key elements that make this combination so appealing, the challenges you might face, and tips to ensure your campaign is a resounding success.

Why Savage Worlds for Rise of the Runelords?

So, why even consider using Savage Worlds for such a classic Pathfinder adventure path? The answer, in short, is flexibility and speed. Savage Worlds is designed to be adaptable, allowing Game Masters (GMs) to easily customize the rules and setting to fit their needs. This adaptability is crucial when tackling a massive campaign like Rise of the Runelords, which spans multiple levels and locations. With Savage Worlds, you can focus more on the story and less on crunching numbers, keeping your players engaged and the action flowing. One of the biggest advantages of Savage Worlds is its focus on narrative. The rules are designed to get out of the way and let the story shine. Combat is fast and furious, with bennies allowing players to influence the outcome of events and heroic moments happening frequently. This is perfect for Rise of the Runelords, which is full of dramatic encounters and larger-than-life villains. The Savage Worlds system also emphasizes player agency. Characters are defined by their skills, edges (feats), and hindrances (flaws), giving them a unique identity and allowing them to make meaningful choices that impact the story. This is especially important in a campaign like Rise of the Runelords, where player decisions can have far-reaching consequences. Furthermore, the core mechanics of Savage Worlds, such as the exploding dice and the wound system, create a sense of danger and excitement that keeps players on the edge of their seats. Every roll matters, and even a seemingly minor encounter can turn deadly if the dice don't fall in your favor. This heightened sense of risk adds to the overall tension and drama of the campaign, making it even more memorable for your players. Savage Worlds also provides excellent tools for GMs to manage large-scale battles and events. The mass combat rules are simple and intuitive, allowing you to resolve complex encounters quickly and efficiently. This is essential for Rise of the Runelords, which features several large-scale battles, including the siege of Sandpoint and the final confrontation with the Runelords. Overall, Savage Worlds offers a unique and compelling way to experience Rise of the Runelords. Its focus on narrative, player agency, and fast-paced action makes it a perfect fit for this epic adventure path. Whether you're a seasoned Savage Worlds GM or a Pathfinder veteran looking for a fresh take on a classic campaign, this combination is sure to provide countless hours of thrilling gameplay. The streamlined nature of Savage Worlds means less time spent looking up rules and more time roleplaying and interacting with the world. This can be a huge boon for groups who find Pathfinder's ruleset cumbersome or overwhelming. Moreover, Savage Worlds' flexible character creation system allows players to create unique and interesting characters that fit the Rise of the Runelords setting. Whether your players want to be noble heroes, cunning rogues, or powerful spellcasters, Savage Worlds provides the tools to bring their visions to life. The system's focus on edges and hindrances also encourages players to create characters with flaws and quirks, adding depth and complexity to their roles. Finally, Savage Worlds is a relatively easy system to learn, making it a great choice for groups who are new to tabletop roleplaying. The core rules are simple and straightforward, and the system's focus on narrative makes it easy for players to get immersed in the story. This can be a major advantage for GMs who are looking to introduce new players to the hobby.

Key Adaptations and Conversions

Adapting Rise of the Runelords to Savage Worlds isn't a simple copy-paste job, though. You'll need to convert stats, abilities, and encounters to fit the Savage Worlds system. Don't worry; it's not as daunting as it sounds! Let's break down some key areas that need attention. First and foremost, monster stats need to be converted. Pathfinder's stat blocks are far more detailed than Savage Worlds'. You'll need to distill the essence of each creature into the core stats of Savage Worlds: Attributes, Skills, Parry, Toughness, and special abilities. Think about what makes the monster unique and translate that into Savage Worlds mechanics. For example, a Pathfinder goblin has a low Strength and Constitution, so in Savage Worlds that translates to a low Strength attribute and potentially a Hindrance like